Celtic Band Gaelic Storm (pictured above) credits some of their 20 years of success to their fans. Their dedication to their music is evident by the lead singer Patrick Murphy’s drive to play injured (Julia Skeval/Editor-in-chief).
Celtic music overwhelmed Wadsworth Auditorium on Saturday Feb. 22 as Gaelic Storm took the stage with an energetic 90-minute set that seemingly transported the audience to what felt like a little Dublin pub.
The band was in Geneseo as part of Geneseo Campus Activities Board’s Limelight and Accents Performing Arts series, which brings a variety of performing arts acts to campus for both students and community members. Despite lead singer Patrick Murphy having broken both of his legs and feet just days beforehand, the entire band played to a near-sold out crowd for a night of giddiness and joy.
Gaelic Storm is comprised of five total members. In addition to lead vocals, Murphy also played the accordion and harmonica. Steve Twigger is the group’s second lead vocalist who also plays guitar and other string instruments. Ryan Lacey was on the drums and other percussion instruments; Peter Purvis played the bagpipes and recorder and Katie Grennan played the fiddle.
The concert opened with “Pina Colada,” which Murphy described, much to the audience’s liking, as a story about a waitress in Dublin who loves America because Americans are the only people who tip. The song was catchy and exciting and to get the crowd involved, the musicians led the venue in waving their arms back and forth throughout the piece.
Murphy, confined to a wheelchair with his legs and feet bound in thick casts, addressed his injury to the crowd at the conclusion of “Pina Colada.” The singer explained that he had felt inclined to jump off the balcony of a venue at a show a few nights prior and ended up breaking multiple bones and requiring surgery. A doctor advised Murphy to take two weeks off, meaning he would have had to miss Saturday’s show. Murphy told the crowd he replied to the doctor, “I can’t [rest], I’ve never been to Geneseo.”
The band ran through a number of other upbeat songs, some that even got the crowd on their feet to sing and dance along. “Beer Song” featured the harmonica and recorder and had the audience sing along to the lines “Raise ‘em up, raise ‘em up and drink ‘em down.” Murphy said the song was based on “the worst decision America ever made: prohibition.”
The set also included more laid back, somber sounding songs such as “Johnny Tar” and “Lover’s Wreck.” In contrast, other songs such as “Slim Jim and the Seven Eleven Girl” and “The Night I Punched Russell Crowe” were livelier, with the lyrics recalling stories that may or may not be true. Gaelic Storm concluded with “Tell Me Ma,” one of their most upbeat, makes-you-want-to-do-an-Irish-jig songs of the night.
Limelight and Accents co-coordinator senior Jack Grant was thrilled at the chance to book Gaelic Storm to perform in Geneseo, having been a fan of the band since he was a kid. Grant learned that Celtic music was relatively popular in this area and having them perform during GCAB’s Siblings Weekend seemed to be the perfect time.
I knew [Gaelic Storm] would be a good fit and put on a show that could be enjoyed by people of all ages,” he said.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show, especially the audience participation that was encouraged by the band. Education major junior Sophie Summa didn’t know what to expect going in, but left knowing she would see the band again if given the chance.
“It was a really good show. The energy throughout was great and very lively,” Summar said. “The audience participation was super exciting. And the lead singer, even though he had broken legs, he was very involved and enjoying the whole show.”
Grant echoed Summa’s sentiments.
“The band is really great at engaging their audience and promoting audience participation and I think they accomplished both those things,” Grant said. “I know how much I have enjoyed their music and performances over the years, so it was great to see everyone there enjoy the band as much as I have.”
The final Limelight and Accents show of the academic year is set for April 4. Parsons Dance will be taking the stage in Wadsworth Auditorium, bringing a contemporary spin to classic ballet shows.